Fall / Winter 2007…Chic, yet playful

This fall, take your smartly tailored classic pieces, toss in some whimsical, fanciful or old-time glamour and you’ll have this season’s chic looks. Or, with simplified, refined tailoring, add a decidedly feminine touch. You will be offered many ways to tweak your classic pieces.

This Season: It’s an Edgy Elegance

COLOR:	Use high color with your subtle neutrals and contrast two beautiful colors together. You’ll choose from reds, oranges and wine colors, lime and other earthy greens, your dramatic teal blues and the more electric blues, elegant golds, orchid (redder) purples and fuchsia pinks. Shades of grey, grey brown, brown and black along with metallic tones. These neutrals practically beg you to wear color with them.
DESIGN	Small to large hounds-tooth checks and many plaids with the buffalo plaid a new addition this year. Cables narrow to wide, flat to bulky. Stripes and other menswear patterns are classic. The key to carrying off the menswear designs and tailored styling is balancing it with feminine soft tops. Shoes and jewelry should mimic the mood of your top choice. Geometric abstracts and 60's pop-art designs. Leopard prints. When abstracts and checks are small and repetitive, they are for the Spring Harmony. When large, black and white, they are for Winters. Artistic garden floral designs continue into this season. So many are poorly made, so check for scale and theme as they relate to your Harmony.
FABRIC	Rich textures are strong this season. Remember, the Fall Harmony is the one able to carry off the highly textured, bulkier fabrics. All Harmonies can make use of some tactile interest as long as it isn’t heavy and/or coarse. Nubby tweeds, boiled wool and richly textured yarns prevail as we see a resurgence of the knitting craft. Feathers are the fanciful part of textures. Whisper-weight knits, cashmere and knits with stretch are prevalent. Velvet, satin, patterned metallics for day and evening. Those, along with silk and satin, compliment the nubby tweeds. When you mix fabrics, think: opposites attract. It also adds personal style. Camel hair, patent leather, quilted and stenciled fabrics round out the selections. Leather is being used in surprising softer ways, like drapy pleated leather skirts. Patent leather as whole garments and as trims. Winters and Springs work best with patent leathers; touches for Falls and Summers are O.K.
STYLE	The most influential trends this season are: The layering of various pieces and textures. (A few light layers that can be removed are more interesting than bulking up with heavy sweaters and coats). The 30’s and 40’s Katharine Hepburn menswear look in trousers, skirts, sweaters, shirts and shoes. Our most versatile staple, the jacket, in newly conceived styling combinations. A modern take on the 20’s flapper dress. A burst of color works with a neutral or a deep neutral and shade, i.e. orange or gold with brown or forest green, teal or turquoise blue with grey or brown, red or fuchsia with grey or black. Fanciful sweaters and other textures on garments and accessories. Last, but certainly not least, is polished dressing which is all about clean lines, structured shapes and elegant simplicity.
Tops	Shirts, blouses with a bow, vests – buttoned or pull-over style – are a stand-out updater to your existing wardrobe of pants, skirts and suits. They can be worn with a longer top peeking out for a casual look, or in some cases, it might be dressier or better for your figure to tuck in the top. The boyfriend/collegiate oversize cardigan. Cinch it in with a belt if you have a waist to show off. Cowl-neck sweaters and fuller dolman sleeves can be found. Crossover v-neck or scoop-neck sweaters in fine yarns for a dressier look.
Pants	With a nod to old-school glamour, you’ll see the trouser cut. They can be more high-waisted with a wider leg in your dream jeans, as well as in flowing fabrics. These need higher shoes and shorter jackets. (One needs to be tall, very slim or both to carry off the very wide pants. Drapy fabrics will help for the shorter slim figures). Tailored, ankle-length and cropped styles. Cropped pants are winterized by fabrication and worn with tights in smooth to textured styles, completed with ankle boots. You could also wear high boots for a clean long line or dress them up with heels. Skinny pants for the trendy types. Some of these are also high-waisted. They can be cuffed up with flats or pulled down and scrunched with high heels. Pinstriped jeans and pants. Jeans in color other than denim blue. Luxury metallic jeans look best with an unadorned, simple top and worn with heels – whether a sleek boot or pump. Other jeans can be worn with breezy flats, loafers, boots or high heels.
Skirts	The movie Hairspray has given motion to the fuller skirts. A pronounced waist, a fitted top and defined shoulders carry this look off best. Shoes need to have some height. Straight skirts and those with fit at the hips and flaring at the hemline, both short and long are part of the mix.
Dresses	A classic knee-length, simple shift dress with pretty details will flatter most. The shirtdress continues into cooler weather. Spruce it up with a belt and cardigan. Sweater-knit dresses are a cozy addition to your wardrobe. The fit should be easy and can be dressed up or down. Dresses with a bejeweled neckline give a built-in finished look. In some cases, you might want a belt. For a definite evening look, you’ll see origami-like pleats sculpting fabric in supple, flattering cocktail dresses, satin gowns and flirty skirts. The details of this pleating require minimal jewelry. There are also evening dresses and gowns with too many tiers to count.
Suits	We have matched suits this year. Feminize them with a bow-blouse (not for the Fall Harmony), or wear sans blouse, adding a camisole if the suit buttons are too low and add deeper toned stockings. Brighten up the menswear look and other neutrals with a colorful top. A bright jacket with the suit’s pants or skirt could be another option.
Jackets	With a return to tailoring, we see defined shoulders, but not oversized. Short, cropped, sporty fitted jackets. Short dressier jackets have ¾ or what’s called bracelet sleeves. Long sleeved tops are worn under them with one large cuff bracelet or several small bangles on the wrist. Metallic or velvet jackets will glam up your jeans and pants and can be structured enough in style for work. Blazer-like sweater jackets are perfect for that in-between look we all need, being versatile enough to dress up or down. Shawl-collared, jacket-like cardigans of varied lengths and heavier knits. Some are as long as ¾ length. These can be belted if it works for you. Shawl-collared sweaters need to be tweaked for Falls to wear them in order to balance out the curving collar. Always button or belt the sweater or jacket into a V-shape. Hoody sweatshirts, fitted in shape. Parkas are short, ¾ length and long. You’ll see a welcome trimmed-down bulk, nipped-in waists, glamorous fabrics, trims and flattering details.
COATS	Some classic wrap coats have added flourishes like ruffles, flared shapes and cinched in at the waist with a belt. You’ll notice many coats with ¾ sleeves – some having kimono-style sleeves or trimmed edges. Short trench coats, double-breasted coats, coats with simple architectural shapes – some with a flared fullness. Capes come short and long. These can add elegance and drama not to mention easily covering layers of clothing. Wear over slim, not wide, pants or skirts.
ACCESSORIES	Classic styles have added details that echo the textured mood of this season. The same design themes seen on garments are also repeated on accessories. Statement hats, gloves, bags, belts and jewelry in rich hues and fabulous fabrics are there for you to choose what suits your style and personality. A short necklace is fine, but also long double, triple and multiple layers of chains keep the layering factor going. Opt for your Harmony’s shapes. Chains can also serve double-duty as belts! Green malachite jewelry adds a welcome colorful accent to your neutrals. The menswear look should be accented with more embellished, opulent or exotic jewelry. This season’s new shorter sleeves are an invitation to decorate your arms with bangles, gloves and watches. In refined leathers, gloves add instant polish. Choose colorful gloves for fun or flourish. Metal grommets intertwined with ribbons and leathers are on purses, shoes and handbags. Bags are medium - large, buckled, jeweled and colorful. If you’re a Spring, medium is your large. Also, for petite people, medium is big enough. (We’re not talking about totes, here – which are larger by definition). Peep-toe heels and flats. Ankle boots, tall cuffed, casual flat boots or dressy sleek. New to the boot/shoe scene are oxford-style booties – they’re a chic alternative to loafers for work; patterned hosiery match up well. They come simple or detailed and can work with skirts and pants. Quilted patent leather shoes and bags. Feathered shoes, bags and hats. Preppy stripes and plaids in accessories are also part of fashion’s variety this season.
The bottom line: if it doesn’t look good on you, it’s not in style.
For more fashion information, or a color consultation, visit Winning Impressions, Color By design